Steffy: Oil and granola mix at CERAWeek conference

As the first day unfolded at CERAWeek, the annual energy industry confab, things seemed a bit out of place.

A Saudi oil executive proclaimed his love for renewable energy, while one of his American counterparts spoke of oil exports from North America. A panel on pipelines — yes, pipelines — drew a standing-room-only crowd. And everywhere, oil industry experts were throwing around references to climate change. It is any surprise crunchy granola bars were served for breakfast?

This year, the conference is a showcase for the industry’s new boom mentality, one that goes hand in hand with a newfound environmentalism. Emboldened by their success, energy executives talked about saving our economy, saving our energy future and saving the environment, all with the turn of a drill bit.